The back-to-school season can be hard on the whole family. On top of parents shopping for supplies and scheduling new fall activities, children often struggle to get back on a regular sleep schedule after a long, leisurely summer. Many turn to melatonin to help their kids sleep, but is it really the best choice and are there other alternatives?
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and it regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Although considered a “natural” solution, most melatonin supplements are synthetic. Another concern is that these supplements are not accurately labeled and there’s a risk that may contain more or less melatonin than the amount listed on the bottle. Taking too much may actually interfere with the body’s natural production of melatonin, and regular use could also cause daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and other unwanted effects.
Rather than relying on synthetic supplements, parents can use a homeopathic sleep aid like Boiron’s SleepCalm Kids. This medicine is uniquely formulated with plant-based and other pure active ingredients to address the things that occasionally keep kids from sleeping, like upsets, excitement, and schedule changes.* And because it doesn’t contain melatonin, children will not experience next-day grogginess at school.
SleepCalm is available in pre-measured liquid doses for children ages 3 and up, and meltaway tablets for everyone ages 12 and up. Click here to find SleepCalm in a store near you.
Discover our entire line of medicines for children for your family’s back-to-school health needs.
*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.
